Energy Storage for Wind and Solar Integration

More than 1,300 GW of wind and solar energy are expected to come online in the next 10 years. This variable generation will create an unprecedented amount of instability on the grid – particularly in key markets within North America, Western Europe, and Asia Pacific. As grid operators adapt to increasing levels of variable generation on their systems, stricter connection requirements and narrower compensation schemes will prompt them to consider energy storage solutions.

Globally, the way in which variable generation is compensated is changing. Key markets are moving away from generous feed-in tariffs and toward feed-in premiums and other market signals to encourage the adoption of variable generation. Major markets for renewables – including Germany, Japan, and the United States – have enacted rules or legislation specifically to encourage the adoption of energy storage systems (ESSs) for the purpose of integrating variable energy sources onto the grid. Navigant Research forecasts that the installed capacity of energy storage systems for solar and wind power integration will total 21.8 GW from 2013 to 2023.

This Navigant Research report analyzes the global market opportunity for energy storage for wind and solar integration across three key application segments: wind, non-distributed solar PV, and distributed solar PV. The report provides a comprehensive assessment of the demand drivers, policy factors, and technology issues associated with the market for energy storage in these growing applications. Key industry players are profiled, and worldwide revenue and capacity forecasts, segmented by application, technology and region, extend through 2023. A business case analysis including global estimates of curtailed renewable energy and the market value of this energy is also included.

Key Questions Addressed:

What are the key characteristics of the business case for ESS for wind, non-distributed solar, and distributed PV applications?

What is the value of energy storage for wind and solar energy applications to wholesale energy markets?

How large is the market, in terms of megawatts and revenue, by technology and region?

Who are the key players in the energy storage for wind and solar integration market?

How fast will the market grow and what are the key demand drivers?

What is the business case for curtailed renewable energy and the market value of this energy?